Deputy Attorney General Warns Israeli Government Bill Threatens Rule of Law and Legal Advisor Role

Deputy Attorney General Gil Limon delivered a sharp warning against a controversial bill aimed at weakening the role of the Attorney General amid a legislative blitz by the coalition. Speaking before a forum of legal advisors, Limon stated that if the bill passes, the government will effectively no longer be bound by the rule of law, as it would define the law for itself. He emphasized that the public would lose a vital safeguard protecting its rights from arbitrary government actions.

Limon criticized the bill as a radical step normalizing the erosion of democratic guarantees and the rule of law, describing it as an attempt not to split but to abolish the Attorney General's role. The bill proposes dividing the Attorney General's office into three separate positions and includes provisions that would diminish the institutional status and independence of the Attorney General, such as making legal opinions non-binding, lowering qualification requirements, altering appointment and tenure processes, and increasing political oversight.

He highlighted recent government actions ignoring legal advice, including ending tenures of senior officials and restricting free media funding, warning that the bill would institutionalize such practices. The legislation would also expand government authority to hire external legal representation, potentially sidelining the Attorney General and politicizing legal representation in courts, undermining judicial oversight.

Limon further warned that the bill leaves ambiguous the definition of "criminal law," allowing political interference in law enforcement decisions. It also subjects the Attorney General to oversight by the Minister of Justice, who could demand reports and influence decisions on sensitive matters. The bill would enable the government to set new appointment conditions, potentially politicizing the office.

Regarding government funding allocations, Limon stressed that the Attorney General's independent legal advice is crucial to ensuring fair, transparent distribution of public funds, free from political or coalition bias. Weakening this role, as the bill proposes, risks undermining equality and legal standards.

Concluding, Limon urged legal advisors to maintain professional, impartial cooperation to uphold the rule of law within the executive branch, emphasizing the importance of their forums for discussing key legal issues amid these legislative changes.